An O'Brien Family Christmas (25 page)
“Do you mind if Susie comes back?” Jo asked. “She’s feeling very proprietary about bringing the two of you back together.”
“Of course she can come back,” Laila said, even though she was beginning to feel overwhelmed by all the attention. She’d need a bit of breathing room soon, if she wasn’t to panic.
Susie came into the room moments later, took one look at Laila and burst into tears.
Laila rushed to embrace her, as did Jess and Connie.
“What is it?” Jess asked. “Sweetie, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Susie insisted, though her chin wobbled and tears continued to spill down her cheeks as she managed a watery smile for Laila. “This is exactly what I wanted for you, and I am so, so happy for you and my brother.”
Laila studied her knowingly. “But you’re thinking that you and Mack never did have a proper wedding, aren’t you?”
“We had a huge party,” Susie reminded her, then nodded. “But yes, I’m thinking about everything the cancer cost us. I always dreamed about the big hoopla.”
“You can still have it,” Laila assured her.
“Of course you can,” Jess said. “We’ll plan it the minute we get back home. We’ll do it in celebration of your first anniversary. You can walk down the aisle in a Vera Wang gown, if that’s what you want. We’ll make sure it costs Uncle Jeff a fortune!”
Susie gave them a grateful smile, even as Jess dabbed away her tears. “You guys are the absolute best,” she said, then regarded Laila apologetically. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to come back here and be this big downer. I had no idea seeing you like this would have such an effect on me.”
Laila smiled at her. “I don’t think a few tears could possibly spoil this day for me. And planning the big, fancy ceremony that you and Mack deserve will give us all something to look forward to. From what I’ve seen, there’s nothing O’Briens love more than a party and an excuse to celebrate.”
“Absolutely,” Jess said, then grinned. “And all these family occasions and receptions are fantastic business for my inn, so I’m all for them.”
Connie glanced at her watch. “I hate to ruin this lovely bonding moment, but it’s time, ladies. Abby, can you corral your daughters? If we don’t start down the aisle on time, Matthew’s likely to have a coronary. He seemed a little anxious last time I saw him.”
Susie laughed. “Anxious doesn’t begin to describe it. He’s a wreck. I’ll go alert him that his moments as a bachelor are numbered.”
After she and Abby had gone, Jess and Connie turned to Laila.
“Ready?” Jess asked.
Laila drew in a deep breath, then nodded. She was shaky, but confident. This was everything she’d ever wanted.
“Okay, then,” Connie said. “Let’s get this show on the road. I’m so glad you decided not to waste time and agreed to do this today.”
Laila regarded her with amusement. “Why is that?”
“Because in no time, I’ll be big as a house, and there wouldn’t have been a dress in the entire bridal universe that I could have worn down the aisle. This one’s already starting to feel a little snug.”
Jess shook her head. “Babies don’t grow that quickly,” she told her. “That’s the double serving of eggs, toast and sausages you had for breakfast and the fish-and-chips you had for lunch.”
Connie laughed. “Could be,” she said easily. “I still think we need to hurry.”
Laila followed them to the church vestibule, where Carrie and Caitlyn were already waiting. She looked around for Trace, who’d agreed to walk her down the aisle, but instead it was her father who stepped out of the shadows. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him, looking so incredibly handsome in his tux, his gaze wary as he approached her.
“Dad?” she said, as if she couldn’t trust her eyes.
“Need an escort?” he asked, his expression solemn.
Laila’s eyes filled with tears, which Jess rushed forward to dab before they could ruin her makeup. Apparently she’d assigned herself to be the keeper of the tissues today.
“You came,” Laila said, her choked voice filled with wonder as she looked at her father. “I can’t believe it. You really came.”
“How could we miss our only daughter’s wedding?” he asked. “Trace made it clear we’d never forgive ourselves if we did, and for once your brother was right. This is where your mother and I had to be today. And, so you know, Matthew and I’ve made peace, as well. He made a strong case for how much he loves you, and I have to respect him for that. This marriage will take a bit of getting used to, but we owe you our unconditional support.”
That came as an even bigger—and more welcome—shock than his presence. “I’m so glad,” she said. “You can’t begin to know what having you here means to me.”
He smiled at her, his own eyes misty. “I think maybe I do,” he said. “Because it means the world to me that you wanted us here after all I’ve put you through.”
“In the past,” she said, determined to make it so. “Please, Dad, can we agree to leave it in the past?”
“It’s all forgotten,” he said, then drew her arm through his. “I imagine Matthew’s wondering what’s taking so long. Let’s not keep him waiting.”
At some signal she didn’t see, the music began and Carrie and Caitlyn started down the aisle, an eager bounce in their steps.
Jess and Connie gave Laila a wink, then followed.
Laila looked into her father’s eyes.
“You ready?” he asked.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything,” she assured him.
He nodded. “Then that’s all that matters to me,” he told her gently, giving her hand a pat.
With her father at her side, Laila was blind to everyone except Matthew as she made her way to the front of the church. Only at the last second did she spot her mother, openly weeping in the front pew. For the second time, Laila’s eyes filled, but she blinked away the tears, then turned to Matthew, this man who’d helped her discover the woman she could be.
“I love you,” he mouthed just before they turned to face the priest.
And with the solemn words of the ceremony echoing through the church, their future began.
Matthew clasped Laila’s hand reassuringly in his. With his warmth and love flowing through her, she knew their future was going to be everything she’d ever dreamed of, and that no matter how many wonderful Christmas memories they made in the years to come, this one would always be the very best.
Look for
The Summer Garden
by Sherryl Woods,
the next story in her Chesapeake Shores series,
on sale from MIRA Books in February 2012 at
your favorite retail outlet
.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-1380-7
AN O’BRIEN FAMILY CHRISTMAS
Copyright © 2011 by Sherryl Woods
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, MIRA Books, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3K9, Canada.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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*
The Sweet Magnolias
**
Trinity Harbor
***
Chesapeake Shores
†
The Rose Cottage Sisters
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